An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their pursuit of AS Roma gem Jordan Veretout...

What's the talk?

According to Roma Today, the Magpies and Tottenham are both interested in a deal to sign the midfielder at the end of the season.

The report claims that he could be on his way out of Jose Mourinho's side and the Italian club value him at around €21m (£17.5m).

Cabaye replacement

Eddie Howe will finally be able to replace Yohan Cabaye for Newcastle by securing a deal to sign Veretout from Roma.

Former Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood once claimed that he offered "something different" and that is exactly why he could be Cabaye's replacement at St. James' Park after a number of years. The ex-PSG and Crystal Palace magician made a name for himself on Tyneside by being able to deliver goals and assists from midfield.

In three seasons at the club, he produced 17 goals and 10 assists for the Magpies - showing that he had the quality to be a difference-maker in the final third. The dynamic creator was a joy to watch on the ball and has not been replaced since leaving in 2014.

No central midfielder for Newcastle has managed more than two goals or more than one assist this term, which suggests that their squad is currently devoid of attacking quality in that position. Joe Willock had an eight-goal spurt last season whilst on loan from Arsenal and has been unable to carry that form on, with one strike in the current campaign.

This means that the Magpies are yet to find a player like Cabaye who can provide a real threat from the middle of the park on a consistent basis over multiple seasons. However, Veretout's statistics for Roma suggest that he could be the perfect replacement for his fellow countryman.

In just under three seasons for Roma, he has scored 20 goals and provided nine assists in the Serie A from a central midfield position. The £27m-rated gem also managed 13 goals and four assists in two campaigns for Fiorentina in the same division prior to his move to the capital.

And in his former spell at Villa Park, the club's former caretaker manager Kevin McDonald, said: "Jordan is a wonderful passer of the ball. He will get better. And he is looking to impose himself in training games. Now he has to do that over a period of time. If he does that, he will be a very, very good player.

Therefore, he would finally be the player who is able to come in and replace Cabaye's special powers in the final third from a midfield position. Veretout has proven over a number of years, as his fellow Frenchman did, that he can score and create goals and that would make him an exceptional signing for Newcastle as he would fill a gaping hole in the XI.

AND in other news, Huge blow: Eddie Howe suffers "serious setback" that will leave Newcastle fans gutted...